Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education)

Coimbatore – 641 002

STAKEHOLDER’S MEET IN KERALA

In collaboration with Van Vigyan Kendra, Kuthiran, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Vellanikkara & Kerala Agricultural University

On 27th September 2019 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Thrissur

Proceedings Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore (Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education) organized a Stakeholder’s Meet in Kerala in collaboration with the Van Vigyan Kendra (VVK), Kuthiran, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Thrissur and Kerala Agricultural University (College of Forestry and College of Horticulture), Vellanikkara at KVK Thrissur on 27 September 2019. A training programme on Agroforestry was imparted to the farmers and tree growers of Kerala. The proceedings began with an invocation on Nature in Sanskrit by Dr Kannan CS Warrier, Scientist F, Coordinator ENVIS and Nodal Officer, VVK and KVK, Kerala. Dr KT Suman, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Thrissur welcomed the gathering. Dr John Prasanth Jacob, Scientist G and Head, Bioprospecting Division, IFGTB inaugurated the Meet. Dr K. Vidyasagaran, Dean, College of Forestry highlighted on the significance of tree cover in homegardens of Kerala. Shri PM Prabhu, Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry Thrissur and Officer in charge VVK, Kuthiran detailed on the initiatives of the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department in the field of social forestry. The technical sessions comprised of lectures on Cultivation, management and agroforestry prospects of Teak, Thespesia and Casuarina (Dr Kannan CS Warrier, Scientist F, IFGTB), Gmelina arborea and Melia dubia (Dr John Prasanth Jacob, Scientist G, IFGTB), Propagation, cultivation and marketing of medicinal plants suitable for Kerala (Dr PV Sindhu, Assistant Professor College of Horticulture), Management of homegardens in Kerala (Dr TK Kunhamu, Professor and Head, Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry), Ecofriendly products developed by IFGTB for management of forest health (Dr N Senthil Kumar, Scientist E, IFGTB) and Pest and disease management in forest trees (Dr John Prasanth Jacob, Scientist G IFGTB). Post graduate students of College of Forestry, Vellanikkara also took part in the deliberations. Panel of experts from IFGTB, College of Forestry and College of Horticulture clarified the doubts raised by the tree growers of Kerala. Various publications of IFGTB in Malayalam were also distributed to the participants. Dr Kannan CS Warrier, the Organizing Secretary proposed the vote of thanks.